The Challenges in Yann Martel's Life of Pi

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Recommended: nature symbolism in literature

Bengali polymath, Rabindranath Tagore, once said “you can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” In the novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel, the protagonist, Pi, faces many challenges at sea while being accompanied by a tiger by the name of Richard Parker. This tiger, though a nuisance, proves to be essential in the role of Pi’s survival. Throughout the story, Richard Parker symbolizes survival, a reflection of Pi, and a being of God.

Although it is not obvious at first, the large threat of a tiger on board blends into a symbol of survival for Pi. Though Richard Parker is a large issue for Pi, he is not the only issue being faced. Issues such as lack of food, scarce drinking water, and no sense of direction also cloud Pi’s travels. Pi creates a system with Richard Parker in order to train him and thus establishes a somewhat tolerable relationship with the tiger. This relationship that Pi forms with Richard Parker instills a confidence in him. By dealing with the large threat of a 450 pound beast, Pi realizes how simple all of his other obstacles are and how he can easily take care of them as well. Also, Richard Parker poses a challenge to Pi because he has to take care of himself as well as the tiger. As an immediate threat, Pi’s main concern is making sure Richard Parker is alive and content. By keeping him busy and somewhat distracted, Richard Parker keeps Pi alive and too busy to even consider giving up hope. In a sense, Richard Parker, “the one who scared [Pi] witless…was the very same who brought [him] peace, purpose…even wholeness” because of the unstated relationship between this human and animal (Martel 162). Pi’s purpose gives him a reason to hold on a stay alive but also “preoccupi[es] [him] entir...

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...spect. The ability for Richard Parker to easily end Pi’s life at any moment also relates to God’s power because God has control over mortality as well. Therefore, the divine powers of Richard Parker and his abilities to control a human mind link him to a higher being of godlike stature.

The complex topics of survival and religion remain prominent throughout the entire novel. In the journey shared by Pi and Richard Parker, major assumptions of human nature are broken down and translated through the actions of these two characters. The overall effect of Richard Parker’s presence develops Pi as a human and an animal. Ultimately, Richard Parker is an attributing and significant symbol of survival, Pi, and faith due to his actions and effects throughout the journey.

Works Cited

Martel, Yann. Life of Pi: A Novel. New York: Harcourt, 2001. Print.

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